Abstract: Environmental compensation is now a major concern for utilities and other developers who must compensate for impacting wetlands, streams and other environmentally-sensitive areas. To meet state and federal encroachment regulations, a Maryland utility used a low-impact pipeline design and created compensatory wetlands that will improve the habitat, storm water retention and potential water quality of the impacted area. Environmental costs were 15% of the total project costs. The project emphasized corporate responsibility, showing that positive developments like gas pipelines need not compromise quality of life in terms of the environment.